LEICESTER boss Claudio Ranieri insists he can take the heat of his struggling heroes by qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Premier League winners face Club Brugge at home on Tuesday night knowing a point would take them to the round of 16.

Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester side shocked the world by winning the Premier League title last season

Ranieri says that would keep the Foxes’ ‘fairytale’ going after last season’s shock title win.

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But he also knows that Leicester have started struggling this season in the league – and they go into the game after back to back defeats against West Brom and Watford.
Ranieri said: “Yes of course I have to work harder now, everyone has to work harder.

“When the life is easier you enjoy it. Now it’s not easy and you have to be strong and live past the bad moment.
“Yes, it’d be a relief if we can get through to the knockout stages. Good.
“This is our focus, try to win on Tuesday and then go back into the Premier League and try to improve our position in the table.
“It’s not more difficult to pick up the players.

Mahrez scored but was unable to stop Leicester suffering defeat at Watford on Saturday

“Our fairytale is continuing, we did something special last season and we’re doing it again this season.”
And Ranieri reminded the doom-mongers that Leicester stand on the verge of history.
The Foxes stuttering league form has left them hovering above the relegation zone.
But Ranieri said: “For the first time in our lives we are playing Champions League football and maybe we’ll go the knockout stages which would be fantastic.”